SNOHOMISH—In the pre-dawn darkness Thursday, Snohomish County Fire District 4 rescue swimmers launched an inflatable kayak into rising floodwaters to evacuate trapped residents from two homes on Lincoln Avenue.
At 4:38 a.m., December 11, crews responded to 33 and 37 Lincoln Ave., where homes that began taking on water late Wednesday were no longer safe. Four specially trained swift-water rescuers ferried five adults, one child, three dogs and three cats to dry ground in a series of trips. The operation was declared under control by 5:32 a.m.
Other residents along the same stretch of Lincoln Avenue declined evacuation and chose to shelter in place.
The rescues came as the Snohomish River continued its rapid rise overnight, inundating multiple roads across the city and surrounding areas. Among the closures already in effect are Lowell–Snohomish River Road, where water covers the roadway in several sections, and Old Snohomish–Monroe Road, which is fully closed. Orchard Avenue, Home Acres Road, 52nd Street SE and portions of the Second Street/SR-9 corridor are either flooded or expected to close imminently.
Forecasters indicate that the Snohomish River will continue rising through at least Thursday afternoon, with additional road impacts and potential evacuations possible in low-lying neighborhoods.
Author: Mario Lotmore
